How to Win the Gruesome Games

February 1, 2025
Villainous cliques continue to clash as an annual school competition brings a fresh slew of pranks and personal growth. In this third episode, Bram the werewolf and his coterie of close and loyal misfits, the Weirdoughs, square off against the more conventionally evil Overlords as the no-rules Gruesome Games come round again, with the Trouble Trophy and a note inThe Book of Bad as prizes. Bram's dads and other parents will be watching, along with the academy's long-dead founders, which adds extra pressure. Still, the Weirdoughs' brand of villainy looks a lot like virtuous behavior: Although the Overlords, who excel at cheating, do better in the (severed) Head-and-Spoon Race and other events, they're not the ones who loyally support one another through thick and thin, pull off the most glorious prank of all on the entire school, and ultimately wangle invitations to join the secret League of Losers (or, LOL) in their posh lair. If all the nice behavior and pep talks ("You have serious main-character syndrome," a friend tells Bram after he confesses to feeling like a loser) sometimes weigh heavily, Hammond shows a knack for amusing tweaks that lighten the load--from his cheeky illustrations to the composition of the multispecies cast, which, along with some racially diverse humanoids, includes a lion given to massive, toxic farts and immortal prankster Master Masonnaise, a sentient flying sandwich. Entertaining enough to give villainy a good name. (drawing instructions)(Paranormal. 7-10)

COPYRIGHT(2025) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.